Your vet is a regular person who probably likes to have evenings and weekends off. Yet these are the times when you're most likely to notice dog health problems. Many areas have emergency vet clinics that are open 24 hours a day, but these can involve steep fees.

How can you tell what needs emergency care and what can wait till tomorrow? Get care at once if:

• Your dog has trouble breathing.
• Your dog is bleeding and it won't stop. Apply pressure with a clean cloth and get moving.
• Your dog's abdomen is swollen, distended or painful.
• Your dog has symptoms of heatstroke (heavy panting, weakness, temperature of about 104 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Your dog can't keep its balance or is having a seizure.
• Your dog is straining but can't seem to go to the bathroom, or has bloody stool.
• Your dog has ingested poison, has broken bones or penetrating wounds.
• Your dog has problems delivering puppies (labor for more than one hour, or 15 minutes with the membrane or puppy showing).